Meet
Faith C.

A terrifying rape resulted in pregnancy and an obstetric fistula for Faith. But today she is healed and looking forward to a future where she can use her experience to help other women in similar positions.

Faith C.'s Story

At 17 years old, Faith should have been preparing for her final primary education exam. But instead, she struggles with motherhood and recovery from reconstructive surgery for obstetric fistula. Tears running from her eyes, she told our team, “I am overwhelmed with the drastic change of status from being my mother’s baby to being a mother to my own baby. I am afraid to be a mother – I am only a baby!”

Faith became pregnant after being attacked and raped by two masked men. At 5:30am one morning as she set out to school, she crossed a small river surrounded by small bushes. She heard some movement, but even before the thought of running had crossed her mind, two men, faces covered, grabbed her and dragged her in to the bushes.

“I couldn’t shout for help because they filled my mouth with a big piece of cloth. It was the worst experience ever. I am still haunted with what happened to me that morning,” Faith shared, overwhelmed with emotion.

Faith’s family decided to treat the incident as a secret. Because of their decision, Faith never sought medical care, let alone justice. Three months after the ugly incident, Faith learned that she was pregnant.

“I had a very difficult pregnancy but I somehow managed to get to full term,” she explained. “As soon I started feeling labor pains, I was taken to the district hospital. Unfortunately, there was a nurse’s strike, and I was not attended to until four days later.” Faith eventually delivered through a Cesarean section, and miraculously, her baby survived.

But five days after delivery, Faith started leaking urine. Thankfully, she did not suffer long. Three months after her fistula developed, she was able to receive successful fistula repair surgery through the Action on Fistula program, from the Gynocare Women’s & Fistula Hospital, a Fistula Foundation partner.

“I have been dealing with so many things. Rape, motherhood, the leaking of urine. And yet, I need to prepare for my final exams! I am grateful to Action on Fistula for fixing my life and helping with the challenges that women face. I am going to study hard so that one day I will be able to help other girls like me.”

U.S. News & World Report featured this article from our longtime friend and partner, Dr. Hillary Mabeya. Writing in recognition of International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, he tells the story of his journey— from young medical resident to renowned fistula surgeon and leader. May 23 is International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, and I’m…

Read Another Woman’s Story

Madagascar

Sodreine is from Iabomora Village, about 56km from Vangaindrano in Madagascar. She gave birth to her first child at the age of 17, but her labor did not progress as planned. As a result, she developed obstetric fistula.

Nepal

Sujata lives in Bajura, a very poor and remote mountain district in western Nepal. She lives with her husband, whom she married when she was 16 years old, and his family in a small house shared by 12 people. One year after their wedding, Sujata was looking forward to the birth of her first child. There was no health facility nearby, so when Sujata’s labor entered its eighth day, the family called on the local birth attendant.

Democratic Republic of Congo

In the year 2000, Mayeye was pregnant with her fourth child. Not long after giving birth, she felt intense pain in her abdomen and began leaking urine. She had developed obstetric fistula. Despite her injury, Mayeye continued working on her family’s small farm. She had no choice but to work through the pain, because her family was depending on her.

Madagascar

Rasoanandrasana's body had gone through a great deal of trauma from childbirth. At the tender age of 15, she was married, and it wasn't long after that she became pregnant. Her labor lasted more than 12 hours before her doctor delivered via Caesarian section. Her baby did not survive, and Rasoanandrasana was left with obstetric fistula.

Angola

Debora lives in a tiny Angolan village quite far from any emergency medical services. In 2008, she was in labor with her fourth child for nearly a week before her uncle finally brought her to a hospital.

Madagascar

Rasoanirina was 18 when she went into labor with her first child. But her labor did not go as planned: it lasted for three excruciating days before the baby was delivered stillborn, via C-section on July 2, 2015. Her complicated labor left her with more than the pain of losing a child; it also left her with obstetric fistula.

Kenya

Pregnant at the age of 13, Sylvia labored for two days before delivering a stillborn baby. She developed obstetric fistula, which led to two decades of shame and sadness. Then one day, she heard a radio announcement that would change her life forever.

Tanzania

Sixteen years ago, a childbirth injury turned Fina’s life upside down. But after losing everything—her health, her husband, even her own family—she was determined to take her future into her own hands.

Liberia

Pregnant with her second child, Confidence went to a local hospital to deliver her baby. But when her labor became obstructed, hospital staff weren’t able to perform the necessary Cesarean section and transferred her to a larger facility. Sadly, it was too late.

Kenya

Thanks to a newly opened fistula hospital close to her home in Kisii, Kenya, 17-year-old Brenda was able to get treatment after six months. Now that she is healed, she has dreams of returning to school to become a nurse.

Liberia

At 16, Sofia lost her baby boy in childbirth and developed a fistula, prompting her husband to leave her. Unaware what her condition was called or that treatment was possible, she became almost completely isolated over the next three years, giving up hope of ever being healed. A radio ad changed her life.

Kenya

Beatrice is 17 she lives in Western Kenya. Many women with fistula suffer for years or decades before they are able to access surgical treatment. Fortunately for Beatrice, who was 16 when she developed fistula, it was less than a month before she received treatment at the Nyanza Provincial General Hospital in Kisumu, Kenya. Beatrice developed fistula after laboring at home for two days in the presence of a traditional birth attendant.

Madagascar

Tahinomenjanahary went in to labor at the age of 17. Her labor was excruciating, but she did not begin the journey to the nearest hospital until she had been in labor for more than a day. In total, she labored for three days. The baby did not survive.

Liberia

Pregnant at 16, Christiana suffered with fistula for several years before her successful treatment at our partner hospital in Monrovia, Liberia. Now, with the new skills she is learning through a patient rehabilitation program, she hopes to help support her family.

Niger

Zeinabou comes from a village 100 miles north of Danja, Niger. She was married and became pregnant while still in her teens. As is the local custom, Zeinabou planned to deliver her baby at home because maternity services are not easily accessible.

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